The Reds have taken two out of three in three straight series, including the weekend before this one past against these very same Cubs at Wrigley. The are 7-3 over their last ten games, rendering their 4-8 start a mere memory. They begin the new month with an even record, having scored 87 runs while giving up 90 in April. Not bad.
The Reds get the Cubs for three and then on to Pittsburgh for three more this week, so it should be a good opportunity to add up some Ws. Neither Arroyo nor Samardzija pitched in the last series, but Arroyo has been throwing rocks so far this season. He's thrown 26.2 innings and has a shimmering 15/2 K/BB ratio. Most importantly though, he's only given up two wangers. That's a tremendously good sign, as the Reds are going to need Arroyo to be at least serviceablerroyo for the duration of his contract. Keep on keepin' on, BroYo.
Samardzija has started his career in the starting rotation fairly well, notching more than a strikeout per inning. He was roughed up on the 19th by the Marlins, but outside that he's been a positive addition to the Cubs' rotation. Here's hoping that our Redlegs can stick 'im what fer this evenin'.
If you are going to the game, or any game of the three-game set, be aware of the Moerlein Lager House "Wrigley South" promotion. If you wanna go there to hang out with Cubs fans that's perfectly fine, but we here at RR urge to be a shining example of what classy fans we are here in Cincinnati. And, when they aren't looking, you can punch them in the kidneys a little. Our Man in the Can, -ManBearPig, will be slingin' suds down there on Tuesday and Wednesday (I think), so if you see him give him a high five an a generous tip.
The bullpen is well-rested after their collective dominance on Sunday and the off-day yesterday. Fresh 'pen, fresh month, fresh start, Fresh Prince!
Bullpen Log
| Reliever | 4/26 | 4/27 | 4/28 | 4/29 | 4/30 | 5 day totals |
| Sean Marshall | 1.0, 22p | 1.0, 10 | - | 2.0 IP, 32 pitches | ||
| Aroldis Chapman | 1.0, 31p | - | 1.0 IP, 31 pitches | |||
| Logan Ondrusek | 1.2, 24p | 1.0, 11p | 1.0, 13 | - | 3.2 IP, 48 pitches | |
| Jose Arredondo | 1.0, 13p | 0.2, 13 | - | 1.2 IP, 26 pitches | ||
| Sam LeCure | 1.0, 10p | - | 1.0 IP, 10 pitches | |||
| J.J. Hoover | 2.0, 33p | - | 2.0 IP, 33 pitches | |||
| Alfredo Simon | 1.1, 36p | - | 1.1 IP, 36 pitches |